PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1262, 25 June 1914, Page 13

PAKURANGA HOUNDS.

MEET AT SYLVIA PARK. Sylvia Park has always been a favourite hunting ground of the Pakuranga Hunt, and on Saturday hounds and members met at this place, anticipating a good day’s sport. The land speculator has been busy, and instead of the big open paddock it has been cut up into building sites. Sylvia Park has always been known for its big fences, but never before in the history of the Club have there been so many spills, which in all amounted to over 25. However, no one was badly injured, although several well-known members were rather badly shaken. One fence in particular, a big sapling with ti-tree stuck in, brought fully half-a-dozen riders to grief.

(Messrs. Dunn Brothers, who have always allowed the members of the Hunt free access to their land, have, at their own expense, put saplings z on all the fences on their property. This was greatly appreciated by all members, with perhaps the exception of those who were unfortunate enough to fall over them. Hounds were cast off in Mr. Dunn’s property, and after some time had a hare on foot, which went up the hills by the pines, and then turned right-handed, circling the hill twice before going over the saplings, which Mr. Dunn had erected, and was eventually lost at the bottom of the hill. The swamp was next tried, and a hare was soon found, which made straight across the road into impossible country. As only the hounds were able to follow, the field had to gallop about a mile round the road to catch up with them. Hounds then turned lefthanded, and hunted in and about the swamp, where they at last put up a fresh hare. Puss gave the remaining few enthusiasts a very short but enjoyable run, starting from the hillside and leading the followers over three or four very solid stone walls before being lost in the swamp. It was now very late, and hounds and followers started for home. This will probably be the last run the Pakuranga Hunt Club will have at Sylvia Park, where so many enjoyable days have been spent. Amongst those following were: — The Deputy Master (Mr. H. Bullock Webster), on Jupiter; Mrs. Markham, on Hoppy; Miss R. Gorrie, on The General; Miss Gill, on Sheebeen; Miss Buchanan, on Dreamer; Miss Harris, on bay; Miss H. King, on Lance; Miss Bishop, on Ivanhoe; Miss White, on Chieftain; Mr. Roy Harris, on Fireaway; Mr. Burgess, on a bay; Dr. Grant on Atahere; Mr. Colgan, on Tally-ho; Mr. Bishop, on Paddy; Mr. Martin, on Cockie; Major O’Brien, on Don; Mr. B. M. Myers, on Bowler; Mr. J. Hodgson, on Robin; Mr. Peacock, on Ruru; Mr. Quartley, on Tasso; Mr. S. White, on Challenger; Mr. Grierson, an Doctor Doric; Dr. Beveridge, on Kerry; Messrs. Levert (2); Master Bent, on Gipsy; xMr. Worsp, on black; Mr. Kinloch, on Telas; Mr. Martin, on Tangatua; Mr. Winter, on Pat; Mr. W. S. Dalton, on Helensville; Mr. R. King, on Romp; Mr. L. Dunn, on Miss Hippo; Mr. Ellis, on Bonny Jean; Mr. J. Williamson, on Sky High; Mr. J. Gorrie, on Bump; Mr. C. Paque, on Biplane; Mr. Sinclair, on Horekiki; Mr. T. Gill (the Whip), on First Barrell; Mr. Selby (the Huntsman), on Mountain.

Mr. Southey Baker attended the meet in his motor car, while among those driving were Messrs. Somers, Colgrove, and Gilliard.